Perkins says he's ready to get back on the court

Friday

If there was any questioning the importance of Kendrick Perkins to this year's Celtics team then it was answered when he wasn't on the court for the past two preseason games.

If there was any questioning the importance of Kendrick Perkins to this year's Celtics team then it was answered when he wasn't on the court for the past two preseason games.

With Scot Pollard still nursing a deep bone bruise on his left ankle, and the Esteban Batista experiment coming to a quick end early in training camp, Perkins has been the only true center available since the Celtics returned from Europe two weeks ago. With Perkins then on the bench with a "mildly pulled hamstring" the past two games, it was up to the 6-foot-8 brigade of Leon Powe, Brian Scalabrine and Glen Davis to man the frontcourt with Kevin Garnett.

Alongside Scalabrine in the starting lineup Monday night against the Knicks, the burden of defending the center position fell mostly on Garnett in what he termed a "horrible, horrible" experience guarding New York's 285-pound Eddy Curry.

"It's no cupcake, no cheesecake, no cakewalk in the park when you are playing against him," determined Garnett at yesterday's workout at HealthPoint.

Fortunately for the sake of Garnett's sweet tooth, Perkins was back out on the court yesterday for a full practice in advance of tonight's preseason finale against the Cavaliers (TD Banknorth Garden, 7:30).

"I'm ready," declared Perkins. "I had a good practice today. My (left) leg felt great. I thought everyone worked well. We had a good practice today. We'll see how we do in the game tomorrow."

Perkins said the rest was more of a precaution and that he would have played through the soreness had it been the regular season. With the team so thin at center, though, extra caution was advised.

"When you are down to one big you just can't take the chance," said Celtics coach Doc Rivers. "I was surprised he practiced and (trainer) Eddie (Lacerte) said he was fine. I asked twice because that's not anything you screw around with. Tight hamstrings and legs become hamstring pulls, which becomes a long season because once you start having them at the beginning of the year they usually bother you all season."

"I thought it was good that I sat out," Perkins acknowledged. "But I don't like sitting out. I am glad I'm back."

Perkins said he was looking forward to tonight's game to resume the working relationship with Garnett that both said has developed quickly.

"He and I are the closest when it comes to chemistry and bonding," Garnett said. "We bonded real fast. I expected me, Paul (Pierce) and Ray (Allen) to bond. Perk and I have no choice but to bond. We are responsible for the hole.

"It's almost like we are the goalies," he added. "We are there to protect that rim, protect the paint as much as possible. He and I have to be on the same page as much as anybody out there."

***

The Celtics trimmed the roster to 14 yesterday when it released guards Dahntay Jones and Jackie Manuel. That likely means that rookie free agent Brandon Wallace, who signed a partially guaranteed deal during the Las Vegas Summer League, has made the team.

"The Dahntay decision was the toughest, obviously, because he's a veteran," Rivers said. "Right now, he would probably be able to contribute more. Maybe later, Brandon can. Not even this year. So that was a tough one."

Rivers said the decision came down to potential for a 14th player on the roster who doesn't figure to get much time this season anyway.

"He has a chance," Rivers said of Wallace. "I don't think anytime soon, but he has a chance to develop into a defender who can play multiple positions." ...

Pollard said he hopes to start running this weekend and is still clinging to the idea of playing in next Friday's season opener.

"That's my personal goal even though the training staff may not agree with that," he said. "My personal goal is to be in uniform so Doc can put my old ass out on the floor."

-- The MetroWest Daily News

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